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Thirty years have passed since my last visit to Bangkok, and now I and back to again for a meeting. The airport had already changed from Don Mueang to the new airport Suvarnabhumi Airport, which opened in 2006. Don Mueang was located in the northern part of the city, but the new airport is about 25 km east of the city center.

There was a long line in the arrival lobby, as shown in the photo below. It is one of the world’s leading tourist cities. The airport is new and spacious, but in terms of service, there is no improvement.

Photo by author, 2019

This time, the invitee had made a reservation at a boutique hotel along the Chao Phraya River. From the rooftop, you can see the Chao Phraya River and the Royal Palace below, and the location is outstanding.

Until now, the only accommodations in Bangkok were five-star hotels, but with the establishment of such boutique hotel, there is no longer any incentive to stay in a five-star hotel.

There are many buildings in the distance from the old city near the Bangkok Royal Palace. The center of the current city.

Photo by author, 2019

Early in the morning, a rainbow over the Chao Phraya River suddenly appeared even though it wasn’t raining.

Photo by author, 2019

Buddhist temple on the opposite bank.

Photo by author, 2019

View of temples and Royal Palace

Photo by author, 2019

For lunch, at the invitation of a local overseas Chinese businessman, I set foot in Bangkok’s Chinatown for the first time.

There were many old mid-rise buildings that were probably built around 1960. Bangkok’s urban development has abandoned this area, where the Central Railway Station was located, and shifted the city’s vitality and center of activity to the Rama I Street area, where Siam Square and Central World are located.

Photo by author, 2019

After a leisurely meal in Chinatown, I decided to head to Central World SC. It is about 6 km away, but the traffic jam is so severe that you can’t travel on time by car. It would take about 2 hours, so I used the train. Bangkok is a town built on a low-lying marshland, so there are few subways and more elevated railways.

Central World SC (below) is a huge shopping mall with Isetan as its anchor tenant. The design of the food court on the top floor is excellent, and it is lively all day long. The place is packed, especially in the evenings, as young office workers come here to avoid the heavy traffic jams on their way home from work..

Photo by author, 2019

Central World Food Court  

Photo by author, 2019

In contrast, department stores, which have now become outdated industries, have lost their vitality like other cities.

Isetan entrance.

Photo by author, 2019

When I left the Central World SC, the road in front is super congested, and cars are stuck and slow moving.

Traffic jam on the road in front of Central World SC.

Photo by author, 2019

After my meeting, I left Bangkok after two days.

Airport departure lounge.

Photo by author, 2019